BellaOnline Forums Career Writing for Children Self-publishing and children's book industry

Do you think this economy will affect children's publishing? How?

And, is self-publishing a good option for the children's book industry?

I would also like to know the answer to those questions. Anyone?

I assume we are talking about traditional, bound books and not e-books. Besides being costly, self-publishing is time consuming. Not only do you have to write and edit yourself, the marketing of your book is totally up to you. Authors who have self-published a children's book work on selling it 24/7. If you are a real "go-getter" and have the $$, self-publishing may be worthwhile.

I know several that tried self-publishing their picture books. Now all their time is taken up marketing and there is no time to write.
Sheryl

Print on Demand like Lulu.com seems to be a good thing. Sure, you have to market your own book but you have to do that with a traditional publisher too. My friend Daisy Lucas published her book on Lulu for a total cost of $99 -- and that was for the ISBN# and some kind of package that gets you on Amazon and Barnes and Noble. She did her own cover art and the book looks great!